Lavender is a bit of a sensitive soul. Because it can be a little finicky, you really need to handle it with care when it’s time for a move. Here’s everything you need to know about how and when to transplant your lavender to keep it happy and blooming.
When is it time for a move?
Lavender is a perennial, meaning it’s in it for the long haul. If you pick the perfect spot and give it the right TLC, this plant can live for a surprisingly long time—sometimes up to 30 years! That’s three decades of beautiful purple blooms and that heavenly scent as a reward for your gardening efforts.
However, that kind of longevity is usually reserved for lavender planted directly in the ground. Lavender grown in pots or containers typically doesn’t live quite as long because it can’t develop those deep taproots it needs to really thrive like it does in a garden bed.
As your lavender grows, it might eventually outgrow its welcome or its pot. Maybe it’s spilling over the walkway, or perhaps it’s just time to upgrade your container plant to a bigger home. That’s when transplanting becomes necessary.
Timing is everything
If you want your lavender to survive the move, timing is key. Ideally, you want to dig it up in the spring on a frost-free day, once you’re sure the worst of the winter chill has passed.
The absolute latest you should try to transplant is July. Lavender needs the warmth of the remaining summer months to establish its root system and get settled before the weather turns cold again. Giving it that extra lead time ensures it has the strength to make it through the next winter.
How to transplant your lavender like a pro
Lavender roots grow in a dense, intricate network, which can make moving larger plants a bit of a challenge. On top of that web, they have deep taproots that reach far into the soil. If you damage too many roots or leave half of them behind, the plant might not make it.
Here is my step-by-step guide to a successful move:
- Dig a hole at the new location.
- Make sure the hole is about twice as deep as the plant is tall.
- Carefully dig up the lavender. Pro tip: Don’t prune it *before* you move it!
- Start digging from the outside, going as deep as possible to get under the root system.
- Gently lift the plant out of the ground, trying your best not to snap the roots.
- Shake off the excess soil and check the roots for any damage.
- If you see broken or damaged roots, use sharp shears to make a clean, diagonal cut at the break.
- Place the root ball into its new hole.
- Fill in around the roots with a mix of garden soil and sand (lavender loves that extra drainage!).
- Gently press the soil down to remove air pockets and give it a good watering.
- Now that it’s settled in its new home, you can give the lavender a light pruning.